Diving-bell



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lDiving Apparatus. NO. 6,397. Y Patented April 24, 1849.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAS. R. WORSTER, OF BALTIMORE,` MARYLAND.

DIVING-BELL.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 6,397, dated April 24, 1849.

To all 'wh-0m, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, J. RU'I'HnRiiwD` VoRs- TER, of the city ofBaltimore, in the State of Maryland, have discovered and invented a newand useful mode andv apparatus for submarine explorations, called astationary diving and exploring canopy, particularly adaptedto searchingt-he beds of rivers and streams, for removing obstacles vto navigationand for` working where there is a current.

By this mode and apparatus, we can descend and return with greatrapidity,l and most perfectV safety, or remain any length of timeunderwater, without inconvenience, retaining a perfect light by night orby day.

In order to enable others fto make and use my invention, I will proceedto describe its construction and operation, reference beinghad to theannexed drawings, they being a part of this specification.

Two Hat-boats E, are first constructed, about 30 feet long and 9 ft.wide, and from 2,1,- to 3 ft. deep, the sides of which, should be from 5to 5%,- inches thick, in order to bear more Jfirmly, the superincumbentweight and for receiving large, iron bolts, E25 which pass through, intothe cross-timbers, F next described. These flats are decked or plankedover, and finished, in other respects, like other boats of that class.Across those iiats E are placed two pieces of timber F about 8 inchessquare, secured to the sides of the flats by four stout iron bolts, Q5which pass up from the bottom, and secureto the top, by a screw forelockand tap 25; the flats E being placed the distance from each otherrequired, and the timbers an equal distance apart, to leave an aperture,to admit thc. canopy 21 a free passage through. Between the last namedcross-timbers F is inserted two inter-ties G, Fig. 5, of equal size,which run along the sides of the flats, E at rightangles with thecross-timbers, F and framed thereto. On this foundation is erected 4Ldouble posts H and H about 20 ft. long. They are constructed of twopieces of timber H2 and Fig. 4f, the required length, 5 by 10 inches,the wide sides facing each other, and tied or framed together by timberW2, in such a manner, as to leave a lip X and X2 on the inside of thepost H and H2 of about 4: inches, through which the sliding frame Zworks up and down and is kept stationary. The tops of the posts H and Hare framed together I, to correspond with the bottom, and securestability, and thev posts, H and H2 are attached to thebed pieces F andF2 Vby substantial braces, J and 'to be employed, due allowance beingmade for the partwhich mustalways occupy the.

stationary frame, H and H2.

The sliding parts Z are tied, or framed together, by cross-timbers, K`and cross, or

reversed braces, K, suiiciently close to prevent springing and twisting,under the greatest pressure required.

In the bottom of the canopy, Fig. 5, there are two platforms, 12 whichfall on a crossbar 16 each way, from the sides opposite, fixed byhinges, to the sides, and fastened by hooks to the same when they areraised up. The small canopy may be worked by pullies, 17 but, to thelarge size, the rack and pinion, U is applied, by placing the rack onthe back part of the slides, Z2 and cutting a groove on the inside ofthe cross-ties, W and 72 any additional power may be applied.

Lamps t are placed on the sides of the canopy 21, in cast-iron boxes, Lof suitable dimensions, screwed firmly over a clear glass V from -fl to6 inches square, set in the sides, which throws the light in; andanother glass t t is set in a metal screwsocket, inserted i-n anaperture, on the outside of the iron box, L which illuminates without.Out of the top of the box, L passes a tube m about one inch in diameter,to which, the smoke-pipe 7 and B B attaches, reaching to the top of theslides -Z. A small tube r, passes from the inside of the canopy to theinside of the iron box, L having a stop-cock s by which the stream ofair is regulated, necessaryto sustain thelamps The oil is contained in areservoir o on the inside, and suspended under a vacuum, by a stop-cock,P and conveyed by a curved tube, n into the lamp, t when required, byturning the stop-cock, P and allowing a portion of air to pass in, toforce down the oil.

In the top of the canopy 21 is inserted a tube, 7 and B B in which is avalve g placed near each extreme, to which, the air-pumps, D areattached, by liXed B B and flexible a a joints. The air tube, 7 and B Bis put on, by detached pieces, as the canopy 21 descends, and coupled tothe outsideair-pump, D2 as it rests on the bottom, and again uncoupled,when about to be elevated, and readily adjusted to any depth ofwater.The communication with the outside, is through a' small tube, l1 whichpasses through the top of the canopy 21, a few inches, to which isattached a pieceof flexible tube 23 of sullicient length to reach theoperators; on the end of which is a mouth-piece, 22 in which is astop-cock 24.

Balls 19 are secured to one or more of the short cross-ties VW of thedouble posts H2 in such a manner, as to act against the pressure, upwardand downward, as the slides Z lare moved.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

l. The stationary mode of descent, by slides Z attached to the canopy 21correspending in length to the depth of water,

and which slides Z pass through long, upright grooves, H and H2 attachedto the Scows E, the slides Z and canopy 2l attached being forced downtogether by the rack and pinion l or other mechanical equivalents; thewhole constructed substantially as herein described.

2. The'niode of supplying and using the light, by a lamp t secured tothe sides of the canopy 21 having a chimney m passing out from the top,and a tube o" and stopcock s from the inside to admit a current of airof sufficient volume to sustain the lamps t with two glasses, one o ofwhich throws the light inside and the other i "i out, the oil being keptin sufficient quantity in a holder 0 on the inside, suspended under aVacuum and regulated by a stop-cock P.

3. For the novel Inode of communication, through a tube 11, reaching tothe top of the slides Z with the mouth pieces 22 and stop-cocks 24:attached.

J. RUTHERFORD WORSTER.

Vitnesses:

D. W. HUDWELL, JAMES LEAGUE.

